Rio was transfixed into a new world, born anew as a prince. Yet, he was immediately cast out and ostracized for a singular, damning reason: he possessed neither inherent power nor a combat skill, save for the seemingly useless art of shapeshifting.
He was exiled to the Forbidden Forest.
Amidst the intertwining, suffocating shadows of the ancient trees within the Forbidden Forest, Rio sat in profound silence before the glowing interface of the System.
"Only a single skill? Shapeshifting?"
A bitter, cynical smile touched his lips. "This world is not so different from the last after all...."
Closing his eyes, he surrendered to the foreign sensations as physical alterations began to tear through his fragile, infant body. Within moments, his small form reshaped into that of a fourteen-year-old adolescent. A pair of ragged, pitch-black wings tore violently from his back, yet his facial features remained exactly as they had been in his past life.
Suddenly, the cold, mechanical chime of the System resonated:
[Notice: New Skill Activated: Flight.]
Without warning, Rio's wings snapped open, propelling him into the sky at a blistering, uncontrollable velocity.
Panic seized him as his equilibrium shattered in mid-air. He flailed desperately, trying to master the erratic appendages and regain his balance.
"It's my very first time experiencing wings!"
"Waaaaahhhh!"
He shrieked in absolute terror, tracing erratic, wild loops across the sky.
[System Prompt: To control the wings, the Host must synchronize with them as if they were an extension of your own arms. Move your wings forward and backward exactly as you would move your hands.]
Rio fired back in sheer panic:
"It's far easier said than done!"
Yet, after a relentless barrage of attempts and failures, he finally succeeded in taming his wings. Gliding downward, Rio's boots touched the solid earth.
"Finally... I've missed the ground."
He began to analyze the fundamental nature of his power.
"Hmm... it seems that everything in this world can be acquired, one way or another."
Rio yearned to wield magic. Using his shapeshifting skill, he attempted to merge his essence with a nearby tree, seeking to become a literal extension of the earth and nature itself, hoping against hope to awaken a corresponding affinity.
The System chimed in response:
[Notice: New Magic Types Activated: Earth Magic / Nature Magic.]
[Current Level: 1]
Instinct surged through his veins, driving him to test his newly awakened capabilities. He bolted into the depths of the Forbidden Forest with absolute enthusiasm, entirely ignorant of the sheer lethality of the beasts that claimed this territory as their domain.
As Rio soared briefly above the canopy, he narrowed his eyes at the expanse below and muttered:
"This truly is an ominous forest."
He could feel it... a suffocating aura of beasts blanketing the entire forest like a dense, black cloud portending unmitigated evil—a malice that spared nothing and showed no mercy.
Suddenly, a colossal, monolithic sword materialized above Rio, descending like a falling fortress wall to crush him into oblivion. His eyes widened in horror. By some miracle of instinct, he evaded the lethal strike at the absolute last second.
Rio crashed heavily onto the dirt. Following him down, the monstrosity descended.
A titanic beast loomed over him, its eyes glowing with predatory malice, its massive jaws bearing giant fangs. Its colossal body was heavily armored in rock-like hide, and its roar violently shook the surrounding forest. The beast growled deeply, advancing with heavy, earth-shaking steps.
Yet, Rio did not retreat.
He raised his hand with absolute composure. No incantations passed his lips; all he did was visualize.
Roots. Giant roots erupted from the earth, coiling tightly around the beast, piercing through its armored hide, and violently tearing it apart from the inside out. Simultaneously, the ground split open, a yawning chasm swallowing the creature whole.
However, the beast was not so easily defeated. Rio was only at the genesis of his path.
Shattering the earthen trap, the monster lunged forward, unleashing a devastating, powerful kick. Rio raised his arms to block the impact, surviving the lethal blow at a heavy cost—the agonizing snap of bones breaking in both of his arms.
Rio found himself in a desperate, overwhelming struggle. He knew absolutely nothing about magic or formal combat; even if he could manifest spells through pure visualization, his output simply wasn't strong enough.
Suddenly, time seemed to grind to a halt within Rio's perception. Tender, fleeting memories flashed before his eyes... Adam.
He saw Adam training him, instructing him on how to fight, alongside the calculating intelligence Rio had possessed in his previous life. Encouraged, Rio dragged himself back to his feet. But before he could even attempt to strike—
His body began to flee at maximum speed, entirely against his own volition. The System had hijacked his movements, forcing him to retreat.
Alarms flashed violently across his vision, issuing continuous, stark warnings that he was in mortal peril and that flight was the only viable option.
The beast pursued relentlessly, snapping at his heels.
"Am I truly going to die when I have only just arrived in this world?"
At that exact instant, reality froze. The earth and sky vanished, replaced by an artificial, glowing blue expanse, as if the world had transformed into a virtual reality game.
[Warning: Danger Level Critical. The Host is incapable of achieving victory. Initiating Persona Switch.]
Rio gasped: "Wait, what—"
Before he could finish his sentence, an overwhelming drowsiness pulled him under, and he collapsed onto the ground.
As the switch finalized, the color of his eyes shifted, his hair turning a shimmering, golden blonde. His gaze turned a piercing gold, his complexion growing profoundly pale. In this altered state, his visage appeared far more feminine than masculine.
The System immediately began a comprehensive analysis of the battlefield and the adversary:
[Analysis of the region... Complete.]
[Analysis of enemy capabilities... Complete.]
[Target locked. Probability of Defeat: 2%.]
Unfurlings its wings, the altered form launched toward the target like a localized missile. The beast did not hesitate, charging forward to meet the threat.
The resulting collision triggered a massive, cataclysmic explosion, incinerating everything within their immediate radius.
As the dense clouds of dust and debris slowly dissipated...
The giant beast fell heavily to its knees. The System-controlled entity stood perfectly upright over the fallen creature, declaring coldly:
"I told you before. I analyzed all of your capabilities. You never stood a chance of defeating me!"
With the threat neutralized, Rio's consciousness was returned to his own body. The System chimed:
[Conditions Met.]
[The unique skill desired by the Host has fulfilled its requirements.]
[Passive Trigger: The Host is now immune to suffering.]
Rio cared little for the mechanics of the battle itself; the System had already projected a visual log of the events into his mind. He muttered in sheer amazement:
"What a spectacular skill... but did I truly wish for this? Ah... I remember now. Right before I died in my previous life."
Extending his wings, Rio took to the sky once more, deeply enjoying the sensation of the crisp, cool wind against his skin. He paused in mid-air for a moment. He still bore the surname of his former royal house, Elzarl. He whispered softly to himself:
"That's right, I almost forgot... I must change my name. What should I choose? What about... Rio Valerin? Yes, that sounds perfect. Now, let us continue our journey."
As Rio glided through the sky, the distant, echoing roar of a ferocious struggle caught his attention.
"It seems there is a battle taking place."
Spurring his wings, Rio flew toward the origin of the noise. Below, two massive beasts were ruthlessly attacking a small, defenseless bird. Rio immediately intervened to save it.
Descending to the earth, he visualized massive tree trunks erupting to bind the creatures, sealing them behind thick walls of stone. Fortunately for him, these beasts were not particularly powerful; they were merely low-tier creatures at the beginning of their evolutionary paths.
Securing the two monsters in place, Rio gently scooped up the injured bird and cradled it, speaking softly:
"There, there... little one. You are safe now."
Holding the wounded creature, Rio ascended back into the skies, enjoying the cool breeze before deciding it was time to rest and recuperate. Looking down at the bird with a warm smile, he said:
"Alright, little one... let's rest here for a bit. I will go gather some proper food for you."
Masking his presence with his shapeshifting skill, Rio slipped into a nearby human city, moving like a ghost through the shadows. He successfully purloined some provisions without drawing a single eye, then quickly made his way back to his winged companion.
Placing the food before the creature, Rio said:
"I'm back.... How are you holding up? Let me check your status. System, appraise!"
[Scanning Target...]
[Scan Complete. No diseases or physical injuries detected.]
Name: Unknown
Type: Dragon
Bloodline: Descendant of the Ancient Emperor
Age: 4 Years
Level: 0
Skills:
Flight: [Max Level]
Blue Flame Manifestation: [Level 4]
Fire and Ice Manipulation: [Level 3]
Elemental Fusion: [Level 2]
Magic Affinities: Ice, Fire.
Rio's eyes widened in absolute shock. "...A... A Dragon?!"
[Confirmed.]
Stunned, Rio held his head. "I don't believe it... How did I end up taking care of a dragon? This is... truly absurd."
After a period of quiet contemplation, Rio stood up. He requested the System's assistance to conjure a massive, legendary tree, and the entity executed his command flawlessly.
Rio looked up in awe:
"That tree... it's far grander than I imagined! Come, little dragon, let us explore it."
Rio and the dragon flew to the absolute apex of the monumental tree. Utilizing his earth magic, Rio constructed a massive, beautiful citadel, spacious enough to comfortably house three fully grown dragons.
"This will be your home when you grow big... but there is a problem."
Rio pondered for hours, deeply anxious that the sheer scale of the giant tree would inevitably attract the attention of human adventurers and mercenaries.
Rio whispered under his breath:
"What should I do?"
He requested the System's counsel, and it complied instantly.
Closing his eyes, a colossal, impenetrable wall manifested, completely encircling the tree. Within that perimeter, the System constructed an infinite, multi-layered labyrinth that Rio could alter dynamically at his own whim. To reinforce the defense, the System populated the maze with ferocious guardians forged from nature and earth, ringing the base with towering mountains and a completely lethal, uninhabitable environment, while the apex of the tree remained an untouched sanctuary of beauty and peace.
Three months passed...
Inevitably, hordes of humans began to arrive at the mysterious, colossal tree, driven by insatiable curiosity and rampant rumors of an ancient power hidden within.
Yet, not a single soul was capable of conquering the labyrinths. The floors shifted dynamically, mutating continuously to ensure no mapper could ever chart a path to the exit. The maze itself was alive, a cunning and shifting entity.
Within one of the labyrinth's treacherous floors...
"Zalarosa! Watch your back!" shouted a pink-haired girl named Yui.
Zalarosa spun around with blinding speed, narrowly evading a lethal swing from a massive Ogre, slicing the monster's body into a thousand pieces with a singular, fluid motion.
Zalarosa smiled confidently:
"Don't worry about me, Yui. Keep your eyes on your own surroundings."
She dashed forward to intercept the next wave of oncoming beasts while Yui began chanting, mana swirling violently around her.
Yui commanded:
"...Fire Magic: Eighth Gate of the Blazing Underworld—'Flame Collapse'!"
A devastating beam of black fire, cloaked in a blood-crimson aura, erupted across the chamber, tearing through the horde like a cataclysmic tempest, instantly turning the monsters to ash.
Zalarosa beamed with pride:
"Magnificent, Yui... That's my best friend!"
Yui blushed slightly, lowering her staff. "Thank you..."
At the apex of the world tree...
Rio watched the entire skirmish play out through a projection, quietly eating beside his small dragon.
Rio muttered with genuine curiosity:
"Those two girls... they are incredibly powerful."
The System responded instantly:
[Correct. They are formidable by human standards. However, they are entirely incapable of conquering my labyrinth.]
Rio blinked, surprised. "Why?"
[The design is absolute, flawless in both scale and lethality. I utilized approximately 99% of my total power to forge this labyrinth specifically for you, Rio. Furthermore, I have breathed true life into the earth, animating them into autonomous guardians.]
[Therefore, it is statistically impossible for them to escape. It was designed so that no one leaves this place except as a corpse.]
Rio's eyes dilated in absolute horror and dread at the sheer, cold bleakness of the System's words. All he had wanted was a peaceful, isolated life far from the reach of meddlesome adventurers—yet, without his knowledge, he had commissioned an unmitigated slaughterhouse.
Rio slowly lowered his head, staring intently at his trembling hands.
He was terrified of the true nature of the entity supporting him. Was this truly just a standard, helpful System... or was there a profoundly dangerous, cosmic entity slumbering within the depths of his soul?
He tried desperately to push the dark thought away, burying it deep within his mind.
Rio forced an energetic smile, turning to his companion:
"Come on, little guy... it's time to discover my newest ability."
Suddenly, Rio's right eye flared, radiating a deep, ominous violet aura...
To be continued...